Bangalore, India – On Tuesday, Rohan Bopanna will cage himself holding a sign that proclaims, “Try to Relate to Their Fate. Say No to Cockfighting”, as part of an ad campaign for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of India ruled in favour of PETA India against the cruel use of animals in certain so-called sports, making it clear that the “person-in-charge or care of the animal shall not incite any animal to fight against a human being or another animal”. Cockfights are also illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, but are still organised in some parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and elsewhere. Bopanna aims to stop this cruelty.

“I choose to battle it out on the court, but roosters used in cockfights have no choice – and the consequences for them are painful and deadly.” Says Rohan “I am happy to support PETA in their campaign to send the message that no one should ever encourage or participate in cockfights.”

Roosters raised for fighting are often confined to cramped cages and tormented during training. Razor-sharp spurs are attached to the birds’ feet to make the fights more “exciting” (ie, bloodier). The birds commonly sustain broken wings and legs, punctured lungs, severed spinal cords and gouged-out eyes. Those who survive are forced to fight again.

Bopanna is currently ranked number 17 in the world for doubles in tennis. He reached his career high doubles rankings in 2013 when he was named number three in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals.